Oakland Athletics' Kurt Suzuki, left, runs the bases past third base coach Mike Gallego after Suzuki hit a three run home run off Tampa Bay Rays' David Price in the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 30, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Before his first at-bat Friday night, the Coliseum crowd of 15,603 gave Kurt Suzukia nice ovation.

He singled off David Pricein that initial at-bat in the third inning. In Suzuki's next AB, he launched a three-run homer to left in the fifth.

The decibel level from the fans rose considerably as Suzuki trotted around the bases and headed to the dugout.

"Maybe I should leave every so often and then come back," Suzuki cracked in the postgame clubhouse.

The A's had reacquired the catcher from Washington on Aug. 23 while the team was on the road, so Friday marked his return to the Coliseum.

He made it clear he appreciated the fans' response.

"Oakland really has some loyal fans," Suzuki said. "They come out and they really support (their) team. ...

"It was a pretty special night."

Suzuki made his big-league debut with the A's on June 12, 2007.

He had spent his entire pro career with the Oakland organization until he was dealt to the Nationals last August.

Said Suzuki before the game: "I definitely want the best for the organization. This is all I knew. There are great people up and down the organization, so it's definitely a cool time to be back."

He figured it was pretty cool to get Eric Chavez's old locker in a corner of the Coliseum clubhouse.

"It's a good spot," Suzuki said.

The A's needed Suzuki because Derek Norriswent on the disabled list with a broken toe. Norris is set to go on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday.

Briefly: It took the Rays' team bus about an hour and 45 minutes to navigate from San Francisco to the Coliseum on Friday afternoon. Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddonsaid he will take BART to the game Saturday. ... Jed Lowriehas 13 doubles in August, one shy of Jason Giambi's Oakland record for doubles in a month; he had 14 in July 1996. ... The A's will have a Green Day-themed fireworks show after Saturday's game.

Saturday

vs. Rays

6:05 p.m. CSNCA

Cobb (8-2) vs. Gray (1-2)

Sunday

vs. Rays

1:05 p.m. CSNCA

TBA vs. Griffin (11-9)

Monday

vs. Rangers

1:05 p.m. CSNCA

Holland (9-6) vs. Straily (7-7)

Sweepless in Oakland: The Tampa Bay franchise began play in 1998. The Rays have yet to sweep a series of at least three games at the Coliseum.